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The Silver Widows
Ada was angry as she prepared to go to see Mike Bergman, knowing he was doing nothing less than trying to steal their silver mine, and even though she knew that she, Elsa and Bridgette had little chance of standing against him much longer, she wasn’t about to give in. But even as she began that long ride down from the mining camp, a silver coin was being tossed into the air a few miles away that would change everything.
- GenresWesterns
417 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 26, 2019
1760 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
About the author
C.J. Petit
104 books220 followersMost biographies start with birth and then roll through the years as they drift by but that would bore me to death, and I lived through it.
The interesting part of my life began on September 23rd, 1995 as we were driving back to Omaha after watching the Notre Dame - Texas game in South Bend with relatives. The #21 Irish beat the #13 ranked Longhorns 55-27; and in a real oddity, scored points in just about every way conceivable in the game of football. They scored touchdowns on passes and runs, kicked a field goal, intercepted a pass for a TD, returned a punt for a touchdown and even added two points for blocking a Texas extra point.
As we were driving along westbound I-80 somewhere in Illinois in our Jeep Cherokee, I absent-mindedly rubbed the left side of my neck under my chin.
My very astute wife asked, "What's wrong with your neck?"
Now I had been an Air Force medic for twelve years; and as evident in my descriptions of outlaws' agonizing deaths in my stories, have a good working knowledge of anatomy and physiology. But that knowledge is offset by being a guy and thinking that we all live forever. My neck lymph nodes had been enlarged for around three months when my wife asked that question.
I obfuscated as if I was a lawyer and replied, "Um, a few weeks or so." (Note: Twelve or thirteen weeks does qualify as a 'few' weeks if one chooses to be generous.)
"And what did the doctor say?"
"I'll ask him when we get back."
"Yes, you will."
I do not want to make my wife out to be a harpy or a nag, because she is neither. She's an incredibly patient woman who could only put up with so much stupidity by yours truly.
Three days later, after the doctor copped a quick feel of my lymph nodes, he said, "I don't know what it is, but I don't like it," which was an honest, albeit an imprecise diagnosis.
So, we trotted over to a local ENT specialist. She didn't like them either and took me into surgery a few days later where she yanked one out, so the lab could dice it and slice it, then look at it under a microscope.
The pathologist who looked at the cells through his microscope reported his findings as 'lymphoepithelioma'. That meant that it was a secondary tumor and there was a primary tumor somewhere else in my nasopharynx that was the original problem.
Back I went into the operating room where the ENT doctor did an extensive examination and found nothing. She was so sure of her reconnaissance of the back of my throat that she told me that the pathologist was wrong, and it was just a lymphoma.
Now, being a computer geek, even way back in the dark ages of the internet in '95, I did some searching and found that if the primary tumor wasn't found, then the survival rate plummeted to about a fifth of the already lousy survival rate for the advanced Stage IV cancer. My wife and I decided that a second opinion might be a good idea.
Off we went in her Jeep to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota as the lousy weather descended across the Midwest. It's been known to happen, you know.
They had a problem getting the doctor here to release the specimen she'd yanked out of my neck, which I thought was odd because I don't remember selling it and figured I still owned it. Anyway, they eventually got the lymph node, did their own peek and confirmed the pathologist's diagnosis.
It wasn't until Halloween in 1995 that they finally found the original little bugger. It was just a tiny bump in the back of my throat that must have been there for a long time before it sent its friends marching into my lymph nodes.
They wanted to treat the cancer there, but I opted to have it done in Omaha and was sent to the care of Doctor Patrick J. McKenna (a name you may recognize from Max). Doctor Mac was the perfect man for the job as he was very personable, optimistic, had a good sense of humor and wouldn't put up with my constant whining. It helped that he knew his job, too.
(Read the full bio on Amazon)
The interesting part of my life began on September 23rd, 1995 as we were driving back to Omaha after watching the Notre Dame - Texas game in South Bend with relatives. The #21 Irish beat the #13 ranked Longhorns 55-27; and in a real oddity, scored points in just about every way conceivable in the game of football. They scored touchdowns on passes and runs, kicked a field goal, intercepted a pass for a TD, returned a punt for a touchdown and even added two points for blocking a Texas extra point.
As we were driving along westbound I-80 somewhere in Illinois in our Jeep Cherokee, I absent-mindedly rubbed the left side of my neck under my chin.
My very astute wife asked, "What's wrong with your neck?"
Now I had been an Air Force medic for twelve years; and as evident in my descriptions of outlaws' agonizing deaths in my stories, have a good working knowledge of anatomy and physiology. But that knowledge is offset by being a guy and thinking that we all live forever. My neck lymph nodes had been enlarged for around three months when my wife asked that question.
I obfuscated as if I was a lawyer and replied, "Um, a few weeks or so." (Note: Twelve or thirteen weeks does qualify as a 'few' weeks if one chooses to be generous.)
"And what did the doctor say?"
"I'll ask him when we get back."
"Yes, you will."
I do not want to make my wife out to be a harpy or a nag, because she is neither. She's an incredibly patient woman who could only put up with so much stupidity by yours truly.
Three days later, after the doctor copped a quick feel of my lymph nodes, he said, "I don't know what it is, but I don't like it," which was an honest, albeit an imprecise diagnosis.
So, we trotted over to a local ENT specialist. She didn't like them either and took me into surgery a few days later where she yanked one out, so the lab could dice it and slice it, then look at it under a microscope.
The pathologist who looked at the cells through his microscope reported his findings as 'lymphoepithelioma'. That meant that it was a secondary tumor and there was a primary tumor somewhere else in my nasopharynx that was the original problem.
Back I went into the operating room where the ENT doctor did an extensive examination and found nothing. She was so sure of her reconnaissance of the back of my throat that she told me that the pathologist was wrong, and it was just a lymphoma.
Now, being a computer geek, even way back in the dark ages of the internet in '95, I did some searching and found that if the primary tumor wasn't found, then the survival rate plummeted to about a fifth of the already lousy survival rate for the advanced Stage IV cancer. My wife and I decided that a second opinion might be a good idea.
Off we went in her Jeep to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota as the lousy weather descended across the Midwest. It's been known to happen, you know.
They had a problem getting the doctor here to release the specimen she'd yanked out of my neck, which I thought was odd because I don't remember selling it and figured I still owned it. Anyway, they eventually got the lymph node, did their own peek and confirmed the pathologist's diagnosis.
It wasn't until Halloween in 1995 that they finally found the original little bugger. It was just a tiny bump in the back of my throat that must have been there for a long time before it sent its friends marching into my lymph nodes.
They wanted to treat the cancer there, but I opted to have it done in Omaha and was sent to the care of Doctor Patrick J. McKenna (a name you may recognize from Max). Doctor Mac was the perfect man for the job as he was very personable, optimistic, had a good sense of humor and wouldn't put up with my constant whining. It helped that he knew his job, too.
(Read the full bio on Amazon)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
July 11, 2019
Another winner!
Like a fine wine, better with age. This is #55 and I have liked them all. Good job Mr. Petit. Riding into town being followed by someone trying to drygulch him he flips a coin.....what a difference that coin toss makes.
Like a fine wine, better with age. This is #55 and I have liked them all. Good job Mr. Petit. Riding into town being followed by someone trying to drygulch him he flips a coin.....what a difference that coin toss makes.
July 12, 2019
The worst from CJ Petit
This auther usually writes great yarns but this one was unbelievable, repetitive and way to long to the point of being boring
I don't recommend it.
This auther usually writes great yarns but this one was unbelievable, repetitive and way to long to the point of being boring
I don't recommend it.
May 3, 2020
MINES, GUNS, LAW, HIRED MEN, LOVE
5 STARS is what I give this wonderful exciting, but different Old West Era Drama with sprinkles of Romance that had been heavily shaken throughout. Landscape not best for a defender starts Lee out with disadvantage & having to act swiftly & deadly. An intelligent man the reader knows now can take care of himself, knows weapons, & can hold his own as he continues forward on his journey to just travel the United States. Buried in his past is something that affects him & causes him to keep women at arm's length, all women; so that makes for a lonely man most of the time. However, Lee, helps people & seeing a woman in need offers to help even though she turned him down. The magnificent manner Lee goes about his offer to help, his unfortunate Shoot-em up gun fights many actions, and his intelligent conversations with others makes this one heck of 5 STAR Western genre book you definitely want to read. Yes, now!
5 STARS is what I give this wonderful exciting, but different Old West Era Drama with sprinkles of Romance that had been heavily shaken throughout. Landscape not best for a defender starts Lee out with disadvantage & having to act swiftly & deadly. An intelligent man the reader knows now can take care of himself, knows weapons, & can hold his own as he continues forward on his journey to just travel the United States. Buried in his past is something that affects him & causes him to keep women at arm's length, all women; so that makes for a lonely man most of the time. However, Lee, helps people & seeing a woman in need offers to help even though she turned him down. The magnificent manner Lee goes about his offer to help, his unfortunate Shoot-em up gun fights many actions, and his intelligent conversations with others makes this one heck of 5 STAR Western genre book you definitely want to read. Yes, now!
October 26, 2021
Carroll didn't know who was following him but it was bothering him a lot
Carroll the man kept following Caroll so Caroll set up a ambush site. He got a shot off first as the other man was just needing to try to get his shot off. Caroll found he was a bounty hunter name Owen so he collected his sharps and everything else he had including his pack horse and brought them along with them. He then came to a fork in the road and flipped a coin for which way to go and went to Egan's canyon little knowing how is life would change and danger would erupt.
Carroll the man kept following Caroll so Caroll set up a ambush site. He got a shot off first as the other man was just needing to try to get his shot off. Caroll found he was a bounty hunter name Owen so he collected his sharps and everything else he had including his pack horse and brought them along with them. He then came to a fork in the road and flipped a coin for which way to go and went to Egan's canyon little knowing how is life would change and danger would erupt.
September 6, 2023
Action filled tale with lots of villains to dispose of in mining territory. Plenty of tension. Compelling man/woman relationships that rely on trust. Some backstabbing and double-crossing among outlaws and family. I expected someone to be trapped inside a mine, but didn't happen. Could have made for a good twist, especially for a character who feared close places. Still, a great read in an intriguing setting in one an American boom-to-bust mining town. PKB
June 22, 2022
Egan Canyon: Home To Treasure More Valuable Than Silver
This was yet another excellent C.J.Petit western novel with tons of action, intrigue and in this tale romance as well. If you like a story where good triumphs evil, you'll definitely enjoy this tale. It's hard to put down this story once you get started and I would highly recommend it!
This was yet another excellent C.J.Petit western novel with tons of action, intrigue and in this tale romance as well. If you like a story where good triumphs evil, you'll definitely enjoy this tale. It's hard to put down this story once you get started and I would highly recommend it!
May 28, 2021
Mine country women
The incredible story of women in a mining town. The stranger who stopped by. To help people in need and stayed for a while. All this and love in the mountains. Read and wait for adventure where you find it.....
The incredible story of women in a mining town. The stranger who stopped by. To help people in need and stayed for a while. All this and love in the mountains. Read and wait for adventure where you find it.....
February 25, 2022
Just plain great reading
Another interesting and fast paced story. Action packed with each page and a novel storyline that puts you in a totally different place. I love the way the author blends action and real life drama in his writing. I'm a fan.
Another interesting and fast paced story. Action packed with each page and a novel storyline that puts you in a totally different place. I love the way the author blends action and real life drama in his writing. I'm a fan.
January 24, 2023
A very good story of the West
This is a great story set in a small mining town that is run and controlled by a evil and ruthless man who wants to he retains control no what it takes. A story full of excitement and adventure.
This is a great story set in a small mining town that is run and controlled by a evil and ruthless man who wants to he retains control no what it takes. A story full of excitement and adventure.
March 31, 2024
mighty good read
As always CJ Petit developed characters and scenes you feel part of. Enjoyable read. In-depth knowledge of his subjects and subject matter as always. A Western writer that is the best.
As always CJ Petit developed characters and scenes you feel part of. Enjoyable read. In-depth knowledge of his subjects and subject matter as always. A Western writer that is the best.
December 11, 2024
A fan!
I enjoy the books,love the similarity. Mostly know what's gonna happen which is why I've read most Major Petits books. This one seemed longer than most others. Another reason I liked it and some twists surprised me.
I enjoy the books,love the similarity. Mostly know what's gonna happen which is why I've read most Major Petits books. This one seemed longer than most others. Another reason I liked it and some twists surprised me.
May 13, 2020
Great adventures
This was a great book kept you moving and falling in love with the people and their troubles I hope you all will enjoy it also.
This was a great book kept you moving and falling in love with the people and their troubles I hope you all will enjoy it also.
May 26, 2020
Silver Widows
Good story could leave out the swearing does not impress. But otherwise good story line not hard to follow it.
Good story could leave out the swearing does not impress. But otherwise good story line not hard to follow it.
July 3, 2020
The Silver Widows
Another book I have read. Very good. Guess they had to expect the good and bad. Bad to lose a child. And spouse. But mostly good. Strong ladies. Enjoy folks. JD
Another book I have read. Very good. Guess they had to expect the good and bad. Bad to lose a child. And spouse. But mostly good. Strong ladies. Enjoy folks. JD
September 20, 2020
Good book
Read all of the books in order to really enjoy it. Storyline continues to grow and develop. Characters are realistic and get better and better.
Read all of the books in order to really enjoy it. Storyline continues to grow and develop. Characters are realistic and get better and better.
November 6, 2020
Another excellent story!
Good guys, bad guys, same old. But I cared about these people, they caught my interest. Yes, they were fictional, but real. You did a fine job.
Good guys, bad guys, same old. But I cared about these people, they caught my interest. Yes, they were fictional, but real. You did a fine job.
November 25, 2020
Another excellent story . The book was great right from the beginning and kept me intrigued to the very end. I absolutely loved it.
December 9, 2020
Fascinating
If you don't love them then you shoot them. Still fixated with gun velocity and bullet size to make the story factual
If you don't love them then you shoot them. Still fixated with gun velocity and bullet size to make the story factual
February 22, 2021
K
This was one of the top TEN of the books that this author has written.I am looking forward to reading more.
This was one of the top TEN of the books that this author has written.I am looking forward to reading more.
November 27, 2021
Excellent!
Almost every story that Petit has written has been good reading, stay up past your bedtime reading. Please keep writing, sir.
Almost every story that Petit has written has been good reading, stay up past your bedtime reading. Please keep writing, sir.
October 27, 2022
What happened to the editor on this book? It was too long and repetitive and quite frankly became too difficult to cheer for the hero after the body count went into double digits.
February 27, 2023
starts well
But sadly goes downhill about a third of the way through. Writing becomes repetitious and way too detailed, that it becomes boring.
I had all I could do to finish it.
But sadly goes downhill about a third of the way through. Writing becomes repetitious and way too detailed, that it becomes boring.
I had all I could do to finish it.
May 24, 2023
Well written book about 4 widows who are being denied mining their silver mine, How it all comes out is very interesting.
February 20, 2024
great story
Good characters action and intrigue. I appreciate the way this author ends his stories. He doesn’t leave you feeling like you got cut off.
Good characters action and intrigue. I appreciate the way this author ends his stories. He doesn’t leave you feeling like you got cut off.
June 27, 2024
excellent read
Totally unique story line. Fast moving and always with an unexpected twist. Looking forward to opening my next petit book. That's all.
Totally unique story line. Fast moving and always with an unexpected twist. Looking forward to opening my next petit book. That's all.
April 29, 2025
The first half was OK. About 3 widows who own a silver mine. Second half just went on and on, navel-gazing.
July 19, 2019
IS IT REALLY LOVE
A partnership of three widows whose husbands had mysteriously died were now owners of a silver mine My-Mac, located in Egan Canyon, Nevada.
Carroll Peterson, who was born into a Russian family that immigrated to the United States and opened a meat plant. His mother changed after his birth, she felt that she was competing with him for his father's love. She had no love for her son and she was abusive, she locked him in a dark closet because he took a cookie without asking permission. Because of what his mother did to him as a child he was deeply affected, with darkness, and for the longest he wouldn't sleep without a light or in his bedroom. He slept in the parlor on a sofa. He also required medical care because of these problems. He also clammed up and had relations problems, he wouldn't let anyone get close to him, for fear that they would hurt or betray him. Oh yes, his mother ran away with the Vice President of his father's business, stealing as much as they could. No great loss either way.
Carroll sold the business and the home he grew up in. He then left to travel the West as so many others had before him and after him. He also became a lawyer in Kansas and left to wander the frontier again ending up in Egan Canyon, Nevada.
As you read about what these three women went through at the hands of a gang, The Stanton, who stole the identity of an entire family who emigrated from Germany, who became naturalized citizens and owned a silver mine. But unfortunately, Mike Bergman was so happy and was drinking and talking to much about his business. On their way home The Stanton Gang, held up the stagecoach murdering everyone aboard. This allowed him and his gang to take over Echo Canyon and use it as their personal fiefdom..
This plot has a lot of twists and intriguing moments. I feel that Carroll Peterson has some deep feelings that he hasn't let go of. The widow Elsa whom he said he was attracted to the moment he saw her, always seemed to refer to her as manly, she had manly hands. He brought a house across the street where she had an affair with Mike Bergman's lawyer Frank, he didn't tell her he bought it until after they were married. It just seems he's a take charge man, but it doesn't seem he truly trust women. Then he kissed Ada on the lips, what's that about?? He's pretends to be Bertha Bergman and he said some pretty harsh things to Elsa, whose taken back by what he said. I'm fact she said it hurt her, say what, he apologized by saying he was trying to see how she would react. I say, he wanted to say that for the longest even though he professed how much he over her. Again throughout this story, he never ever said he was in love with her. I know think at that particular time he wanted to dehumanize her because of her tryst with Frank, the lawyer. Nice guy right? It also seems she cares more for him than he does her..that isn't good.He also decided when they will become intimate, even though she had been wounded, he didn't feel she was ready and he had other important things to do regarding the town Echo Canyon. Carroll also taught Elsa how to play chess, which he said was way to show him if was really ready health wise, when she through her arms up in the air after winning a game...He said he knew she was ready. I ask ready for what???
I don't think you'll are going to really trust Carroll Peterson after you complete this love story..really!
There's something hinky about him!!!
A partnership of three widows whose husbands had mysteriously died were now owners of a silver mine My-Mac, located in Egan Canyon, Nevada.
Carroll Peterson, who was born into a Russian family that immigrated to the United States and opened a meat plant. His mother changed after his birth, she felt that she was competing with him for his father's love. She had no love for her son and she was abusive, she locked him in a dark closet because he took a cookie without asking permission. Because of what his mother did to him as a child he was deeply affected, with darkness, and for the longest he wouldn't sleep without a light or in his bedroom. He slept in the parlor on a sofa. He also required medical care because of these problems. He also clammed up and had relations problems, he wouldn't let anyone get close to him, for fear that they would hurt or betray him. Oh yes, his mother ran away with the Vice President of his father's business, stealing as much as they could. No great loss either way.
Carroll sold the business and the home he grew up in. He then left to travel the West as so many others had before him and after him. He also became a lawyer in Kansas and left to wander the frontier again ending up in Egan Canyon, Nevada.
As you read about what these three women went through at the hands of a gang, The Stanton, who stole the identity of an entire family who emigrated from Germany, who became naturalized citizens and owned a silver mine. But unfortunately, Mike Bergman was so happy and was drinking and talking to much about his business. On their way home The Stanton Gang, held up the stagecoach murdering everyone aboard. This allowed him and his gang to take over Echo Canyon and use it as their personal fiefdom..
This plot has a lot of twists and intriguing moments. I feel that Carroll Peterson has some deep feelings that he hasn't let go of. The widow Elsa whom he said he was attracted to the moment he saw her, always seemed to refer to her as manly, she had manly hands. He brought a house across the street where she had an affair with Mike Bergman's lawyer Frank, he didn't tell her he bought it until after they were married. It just seems he's a take charge man, but it doesn't seem he truly trust women. Then he kissed Ada on the lips, what's that about?? He's pretends to be Bertha Bergman and he said some pretty harsh things to Elsa, whose taken back by what he said. I'm fact she said it hurt her, say what, he apologized by saying he was trying to see how she would react. I say, he wanted to say that for the longest even though he professed how much he over her. Again throughout this story, he never ever said he was in love with her. I know think at that particular time he wanted to dehumanize her because of her tryst with Frank, the lawyer. Nice guy right? It also seems she cares more for him than he does her..that isn't good.He also decided when they will become intimate, even though she had been wounded, he didn't feel she was ready and he had other important things to do regarding the town Echo Canyon. Carroll also taught Elsa how to play chess, which he said was way to show him if was really ready health wise, when she through her arms up in the air after winning a game...He said he knew she was ready. I ask ready for what???
I don't think you'll are going to really trust Carroll Peterson after you complete this love story..really!
There's something hinky about him!!!
July 8, 2019
Mr. C. J. Petit is one of my favorite western adventure writers, but he definitely went a step above perfection with this outstanding masterpiece. This is one exciting episode after the other and there are no weak moments throughout the entire story. Gunplay? Yes! Romancing? Yes! Excitement? Most definitely! Enjoyable from beginning to end? Yes, and a must read story!!!
Definitely five stars worthy, as the story starts fast and access like a run-away train without any brakes! Outstanding storylines that successfully portrays compassion and an in-depth camaraderie among the good my and his lay associates. There is never a slow minute from beginning to end, and the bad guys definitely outnumber the good guy, and ladies, two to one. Guns blaze and people die, which creates a compassionate embrace in the good peoples lives, and a round for justice is successful once again!
Most definitely recommend this outstanding western masterpiece to all readers, regardless of your reading preference, as you will enjoy riding along with Carroll, Elsa, Ada and Bridgette, as they work together cleaning the dregs from the mining town the women call home. Quiet a system the bad guys have set for themselves and any reader will want to ride along with them to severe the heads of the snakes involved! Your loss if you fail to follow Carroll and his crew, hey try to gain back control of their respective property.
Definitely five stars worthy, as the story starts fast and access like a run-away train without any brakes! Outstanding storylines that successfully portrays compassion and an in-depth camaraderie among the good my and his lay associates. There is never a slow minute from beginning to end, and the bad guys definitely outnumber the good guy, and ladies, two to one. Guns blaze and people die, which creates a compassionate embrace in the good peoples lives, and a round for justice is successful once again!
Most definitely recommend this outstanding western masterpiece to all readers, regardless of your reading preference, as you will enjoy riding along with Carroll, Elsa, Ada and Bridgette, as they work together cleaning the dregs from the mining town the women call home. Quiet a system the bad guys have set for themselves and any reader will want to ride along with them to severe the heads of the snakes involved! Your loss if you fail to follow Carroll and his crew, hey try to gain back control of their respective property.
July 8, 2019
The Silver Widows
Again, CJP never disappoints. He never hesitates to bring a new look at situations that happened in the Wild Old WEST during a time of growth and people leaving the East to move into territories that did not have even the beginnings of civilization as they had in the East. This was a new land with new rules of self preservation, it was no longer do unto others as you would have them,etc. It was more, do unto others - before - they do you in, especially if you were a widow and owned a mine in a town that existed because of the mines in the area. Oh yeah, there were some really greedy people in town too.
Again, CJP never disappoints. He never hesitates to bring a new look at situations that happened in the Wild Old WEST during a time of growth and people leaving the East to move into territories that did not have even the beginnings of civilization as they had in the East. This was a new land with new rules of self preservation, it was no longer do unto others as you would have them,etc. It was more, do unto others - before - they do you in, especially if you were a widow and owned a mine in a town that existed because of the mines in the area. Oh yeah, there were some really greedy people in town too.
August 25, 2019
Lots of interesting twists and turns but too much repetition. Allan Stein said ' a never ending story' and that's what it felt like. I did skip several pages to finally get this read over with and even skipping pages I still got the all the pieces put together. It also appears the author knows a lot about guns. I thought there was too much explaining about the guns and ammo. But the author has a great imagination though. And I do love western books and movies! This was the first time I read one of C.J Petit's books and I think I will read another.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews